Combined urine specimen bottle and cap

Abstract

An apparatus for sanitarily and easily collecting urine or other liquid specimens for testing, including a collection vessel having a handle portion and a cover. The relatively long, narrow dimensions of the collection vessel assure maneuverability. The handle also assists maneuverability, as well as facilitating sanitary collection of the specimen. The easy-to-use cover further ensures that the specimen remains free from contamination after collection, yet the user of the apparatus can readily and sanitarily seal the vessel.

I claim: 
     
       1. A container for collecting a urine specimen comprising: a. a collection vessel having a substantially flat bottom defining a perimeter about which is joined a substantially vertically extending side wall to define an interior of the vessel and an upper edge that includes a recess therein and a generally horizontal and planar vessel opening, wherein the bottom width is proportionally less than its length;   b. a shield, connecting to the upper edge of the vessel, extending substantially vertically upward above the generally horizontal plane of the vessel opening;   c. a handle, connecting to the shield, for lifting and manipulating the vessel and including a gusset to strengthen the connection of the handle to the shield; and   d. a cover, dimensioned to provide a substantially liquid tight seal for a urine specimen held in the interior of the collection vessel comprising: i) a panel dimensioned substantially to match the vessel opening, wherein the panel is capable of supporting a second urine specimen container;   ii) an annular ridge, surrounding the panel, that interlocks with the recess; and   iii) a rim that is capable of preventing the second urine specimen container from sliding off the panel.     
     
     
       2. The container of claim 1 wherein the cover further comprises means for facilitating removal from or attachment to the matchinq recess on the vessel. 
     
     
       3. The container of claim 1 further comprising means on the vessel wall to facilitate determination of the amount of liquid within the vessel. 
     
     
       4. The container of claim 1 wherein the vessel and cover are formed of plastic. 
     
     
       5. The container of claim 1 wherein the vessel and cover are formed of a clear vinyl. 
     
     
       6. The container of claim 1 further comprising a spout formed in the vessel to facilitate pouring liquid out of the vessel. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for collecting urine specimens from female humans comprising: a. a generally elliptically shaped bottom whose width is less than its length;   b. a wall, joined to the bottom, extending substantially vertically upward from the bottom to define an opening and an interior;   c. a shield extending substantially vertically upward from the wall;   d. a handle connected to the shield and provided with a gusset for reinforcement; and   e. a cover suitably dimensioned to engage in a close fit with the opening of the vessel and define a generally horizontal, planar surface on which another substantially identical apparatus can be positioned, the cover comprising: (i) a panel dimensioned substantially to match the vessel opening;   (ii) a ridge surrounding the panel that is received in a matching recess on the wall;   (iii) a rim, extending for a short distance above the plane of the panel, capable of preventing the substantially identical apparatus positioned on the cover from sliding off of the cover.     
     
     
       8. The urine specimen collector of claim 7 wherein the cover has a second handle. 
     
     
       9. A urine specimen collector for easily collecting urine specimens from male or female humans and that can be easily sealed to prevent contamination or spilling of urine specimens, the collector comprising: a. a racetrack shaped bottom having a width less than its length and a perimeter defining a first arc joined by a first length and a second length to a second arc;   b. a generally vertically extending wall surrounding the perimeter of the bottom and defining an interior and an opening with a top edge, which is encircled at least partially by a recess located within the interior;   c. a first shield, located above the first arc, connecting with the recess and extending substantially vertically upward;   d. a handle connected via a gusset to the shield; and   e. a cover comprising: (i) a panel dimensioned to fit within the interior so that a ridge surrounding at least a portion of the panel interlocks with the recess to cover the opening and provide a substantially liquid proof seal preventing the urine specimen within the interior from being contaminated or leaking out;   (ii) a second shield, extending above the ridge, dimensioned to match approximately and fit over the first shield; and   (iii) a rim, extending above the ridge, for cooperating with the panel and shield, wherein the rim is capable of holding a second urine specimen collector on top of the cover.